Population
Geography
Climate
Gastronomy
Economy
Language

 

POPULATION

Puno has 120,229 inhabitants.

 

GEOGRAPHY

Puno has a generally flat topography because much of its territory lies on the Collao plateau, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. In Puno there are some mountain ranges like the Carabaya to the north and the Maritima or Volcanica to the south. The altitudes rank between 3812 m and 5500 m in the plateau and mountains, and between 4200 m to 500 m in the high jungle. The most important rivers are Suches, Huancané, Ramis, Coates, and San Gaban Desaguadero. The largest and most important lakes are Lake Titicaca and Lake Umayo (place where the Pre-Inca complex of Sillustani is located). The most important islands are Amantani island, Taquile, Soto, Suasi and the floating islands of the Uros.

 

CLIMATE

The city of Puno is cold and has a semiarid climate. The rainy season starts in October and ends in April. The annual maximum average temperature is 14°C (58°F) and the minimum is 3°C (37°F).

 

GASTRONOMY

Cuisine is not very elaborate instead, it has simple ingredients. The dishes descended from indigenous cultures and were enriched by European elements. In some dishes, the Spanish influence is clear, as the Cancacho, which is pork or lamb, seasoned with pepper and cumin and sometimes even white wine, which is not part of the culinary culture in the Altiplano area of Peru. One ingredient that is essential in the cuisine of Puno is trout, which is farmed on Lake Titicaca and some small rivers in the Altiplano. It now replaces the Suche fish, which is almost extinct.

 

ECONOMY

Agriculture is the main economical activity in the region, despite frequent frosts, droughts and floods. Agricultural work is seasonal, which affects the economy of the population. In this region, farmers plant potatoes, quinoa, barley, cañihua and beans. They also breed geese. This area is the largest producer of sheep, llamas and alpacas, therefore, of wool also. Puno is the second largest producer of trout for export in Peru. Tourism is an important economic activity due to Lake Titicaca and its many islands, which generate much interest with foreigners. Mine production is characterized by the exportation of silver, gold, tin, uranium and lead. The San Gaban hydroelectric station supplies power to the region.

 

LANGUAGE

The people speak Spanish, Aymara and Quechua. In Lake Titicaca the Aymara is the main language.